WALKING STICK

Remember the movie "Walking Tall?" The Sheriff was a guy named Buford H. Pusser. He was best known for carrying a "big stick." Bufford made a lot of noise, but still Teddy Roosevelt would be proud of him.

The man served as a Police Officer and Sheriff. He became a one man crusade against crime. During his tour of duty Pusser became a folk hero. He was definitely a macho guy who knew how to use his legendary wooden club.

Armed with his Walking Stick Buford became a legendary salesman for law and order. In 1964 he (at 26) became the youngest person elected Sheriff of McNairy County. He got a fine looking badge with his name on the top panel. With this title he relentlessly attacked the mob in West Tennessee.

The Sheriff's stick was more like a small tree. In the movie he carried it to encourage the wayward to walk a lawful path. For his efforts he was shot eight times. If that wasn't enough to seek early retirement he was stabbed an additional seven times. Guess some people didn't like him. Bullets and knives could not kill this guy.

Like a man on a mission Bufford Pusser just kept coming at the bad guys. Unfortunately he saw his wife (1967) become the victim of an assassin's bullet that was intended for him. Seven years later a car "accident" finally claimed the life of this man. Check out his story at: http://www.sheriffbufordpusser.com

The "walking stick" pictured above is nothing like the one used by Sheriff Pusser in the 1960's. It is smaller. It is older. It is a work of art.

This "Walking Stick" was finely crafted from Irish Bog Wood well over a hundred years ago. Once cut it was shaped and sized to be part of the policeman's accessories.

These Irish Sticks were routinely made for relatives who traveled across the"pond" to find work in the U.S. Many became police officers. Wherever there were a large number Irish on a police force one would always find pieces of "equipment" that was made in Ireland.

The above pictured walking stick is believed to have made its' way to the Newark Police Department in N.J. There it was used by officers with rank. The original owner of this beautiful stick could easily have been a Brennan, a Donaghy, a Lynch, or an O'Neill. They were all part of the old N.P.D.

At first glance one may not think too much of this black piece of wood. Careful examination shows it to be a wonderful antique, and a fine piece of police memorabilia.

The engravings, I am told, have unique meaning. There is a "Shamrock" that seems to still offer luck, and well being. There is also a"Harp" that is finely carved near the handle. One can sense the message it is sending. Regardless of the messages I am sure this "Walking Stick" holds many fine memories, and I am glad to have it in my collection.

CITY ADDITIONS: ABSECON

A is for ABSECON.

In alphabetical order this is the first of my City Additions. It is a relic. I was surprised that the community of Absecon is really a genuine City in Southern NJ. It covers just under six square miles, and some of that is water.

Although this community became a City over 100 years ago it has remained under the radar for the most part. The attention goes to the neighboring community of Atlantic City. The population is around 8000. That might go higher between Memorial Day and Labor day when the "shore season" has the city open for business.

For some (probably political) reason the police force requires a Superintendent. This badge was issued for that tittle many years ago. It is styled after the New York Captains' Badge. This writer likes the design with the five "points" and blue lettering.

Because Absecon is a City, although not a major one, it is included in the collection. It does look nice and inspires me to keep searching for other fine NJ badges to add to my collection.

CITY COLLECTION: W IS FOR WILDWOOD

These stories, and pictures, began getting recognized by me initially in August of 2009. That is five months short of two years. Time goes by fast.

I first wrote about my "A" badge - Asbury Park in August of 2009. At that time I had only twenty one badges in my City Collection. They were from eighteen places that can correctly be called a City. I was quite proud of them.

I took each badge in alphabetical order and did a presentation about it, the community from which it comes, and my little memories. I am now up to the end or "W" for The City Wildwood.

The location is well known as it is a hot spot for Beach activities during the summer. In the winter Wildwood is not quite a ghost town, but certainly there is less traffic.

One summer I took my (then two) kids here. The loved the water and the sand, but the older, my namesake, was afraid of being up high. She wouldn't go near the balcony and had to be carried to the room crying all the way. That thrilling room was on the second floor! Mind you she is a "mountain climber" today, or at least lives near one.

When the weather was hot, and the Atlantic Ocean attracted people, by the thousands, to its' shores, the regular police department hired Specials. These were guys without a regular appointment who needed a job. As good as they were they were not mountain climbers. They liked the Jersey Shore, sea level activities, and the beautiful young ladies that tanned on our beaches.

These officers were issued a "Special" badge, but carried all the responsibilities of the "regulars." The badge pictured above is a relic. It is however, like the ladies on the beach, in great shape.

The badge has a New Jersey State Seal at center, which is the real old style N.J. State Seal. It was plated the same color as the badge, in this case a silver tone finish. The letters are recessed and filled with black enamel. They read: Special, Officer, City of Wildwood, #415.

Since I started documenting my collection many months ago I have had the good fortune to acquire a couple of new badges that have found a home with me. I will cover them in the months ahead. I promise I will start with the letter "A." For now I'll end this article and just reflect on 40 years of collecting these fine badges, and mountain climbing.